The prophet Aguntan brings the ewedu to Resago

 

 

A prophet named Aguntan was sent thousands of kilometers through jungles and forests, fighting wild beasts and bandits, to Resago, Mapungubwe's capital, to ask the queen to drink from the ukumba. Drinking from the ukumba signified an endorsement of peace, while not drinking from the ukumba signified the very destruction of Allada. Also, if she said "no," then Aguntan would have to kill her. Aguntan's people could no longer wage war against mighty Mapugubwe, but if they were to end, it would be a fight to the bitter end.

When Aguntan arrived, he saw the skyscrapers of Resago, black and white buildings, flying vehicles carrying people and animals flying around those monochromatic monoliths, and rivers flowed from the ground into the air. Aguntan thought, 'If I had a flying machine like this, my journey would be much easier. Maybe he would not have died.'

Aguntan arrived with twenty people, and when they arrived, everything was crowded. Everyone was distracted by the apparel, garment vendors walking through walls, hovering food stalls, many selling something called 'The Nectar of the Sun', and noises, low voices emanating from the walls. You had to put your ear against a wall to hear, but that's when you'd disappear. In Allado, the spirit speaks only to the king's family, but in Resago, the spirits speak to everyone. These ghostly voices came from the shops, saying, "You must have it! Take it! Buy it!" Screens were hanging on the city walls. On the screens, beautiful women and men whispered and sang, "Stop what you're doing and follow me!" The people who came with Aguntan from Allada followed the voices and the holograms onto the screens and disappeared.

Before Aguntan entered the city, he looked around and saw eighteen people. He lost two people during his journey. Once in the city, he knew he was alone.

Aguntan saw many people moving, carrying pottery, clothes, and food. Aguntan thought the people were preparing for an invasion. But something seemed strange. Aguntan didn't see many soldiers.

'Perhaps they're going to Allada?' Aguntan thought.

Aguntan quickened his pace and walked toward the palace at the center of the Resago. A massive structure of ivory and leopard patterns with robotic jackets scurrying around. All of Allada could fit inside. But before he could dash inside the palace, soldiers surrounded him.

The queen knew Aguntan was in the city. She ordered the soldiers to bring Aguntan to her. When Aguntan arrived at her court, Aguntan asked the queen to partake, and he offered her the ukumba while the queen sat on the elegant throne. She was thinking about the proper course of action. It was clear Aguntan didn't know what was happening in Mapugubwe. She felt that if she drank and revealed the truth about Mapugubwe, she would seem untruthful to the prophet; however, not drinking could be an even graver insult. After a few minutes, she drank from the ukumba. The queen returned the ukumba to Aguntan and said, "The Mapungubweans are leaving!"

Aguntan was surprised to hear the news.

Aguntan asked, "Where? Why?"

The queen replied, "Now is the time to return to the Light of Rantafuli. The children of the rain of the stars will return to the fiery clay of Mwali. Rantafuli is the star from which we come."

Aguntan replied, "That's why I don't see any soldiers."

"Yes, all who can leave will leave," said the queen. The queen exhaled and said, "We will leave all these worlds and seek new ones. We will join the light. Our struggle to bring the light here or to obtain the Light of Rantafuli is over."

"You were having your armies spread the Light of Rantafuli to Allada?" asked Aguntan.

"Yes, but our war is over. I have informed my allies," replied the queen.

Before leaving, the queen told Aguntan, "We will return with the Light of Rantafuli. All will be saved."

Then the queen parted and boarded a ship.